Originally translated from the Thai language.

"I would like to formally invite Mr. Yu Luofan to step forward and elucidate this breakthrough innovation," Kawin announced, gesturing gracefully with an open palm to extend his floor presence.

Yu Luofan stepped onto the presentation floor with absolute focus in his gaze. He offered a respectful bow to the executive board. "Good afternoon, esteemed members of the board. I am Yu Luofan, representing Hydra-Flux. Our core innovation, the Ni-P (Nickel-Phosphorus) coating technology, functions as a molecular-level catalyst coating design. It specifically optimizes the molecular gas-splitting efficiency within the Electrolyzer by dramatically reducing short-circuit voltage degradation and neutralizing chemical corrosion. Consequently, the hydrogen production matrix operates with unprecedented stability and a significantly prolonged operational lifespan, even under high-pressure parameters."

Luofan locked eyes with the board members.

"Senior Zhangwei and Mr. Kawin initiated contact with us to launch the empirical testing phase of this innovation within the pilot prototype project in Thailand. Hydra-Flux is thoroughly privileged to demonstrate to the global market that this architecture can genuinely rewrite the baseline infrastructure of clean energy."

Meiling raised a hand, authoritatively severing his momentum. "In practical execution... what will the deployment of this coating system do to the ultimate end-user energy pricing model?"

Zhangwei stood up from his seat, seamlessly integrating the quantitative financial engineering metrics into the dialogue. "Allow me to address the financial engineering and cost-accounting calculations on behalf of the team... Currently, one kilogram of green hydrogen yields an energy density roughly equivalent to three liters of diesel fuel. By deploying the Ni-P coating architecture, the converted operating expenditure per liter for the logistics fleet within our network will plummet to a mere $0.55 USD per liter. This quantitative breakthrough is low enough to completely revolutionize the logistics cost structure across the entire continent."

A sudden wave of intense murmurs rippled across the boardroom. An operating cost that low, rendering green energy commercially viable, generated an irresistible trajectory that institutional investors could not possibly decline.

Meiling maintained an unblinking, analytical stare with Zhangwei. "And what about the intellectual property licensing fees? At what valuation is Hydra-Flux pricing the outright patent acquisition for the CK Group?"

Luofan exchanged a brief, calculated look with Zhangwei before redirecting his gaze back to Meiling. "The executive board of Hydra-Flux has reached a unified consensus that we will not execute an outright assignment of the patent. Instead, we propose a Joint Venture framework designed to distribute mutual dividends. These dividends will be calculated proportionally based on the empirical energy cost-savings generated within the Thailand Sandbox... ensuring that both the innovators and the capital investors experience sustainable, long-term horizontal growth."

Wenjie narrowed his eyes, delivering a predatory glare toward Kawin and Zhangwei. "However, the unyielding institutional posture of the CK Group requires absolute, exclusive ownership of all proprietary rights," he asserted, suppressing his tone into a low, threatening frequency. "If Hydra-Flux is incapable of satisfying this baseline condition, there remains zero administrative necessity for this board to waste further executive time evaluating a joint-venture petition."

Wenjie’s aggressive counter-negotiation plunged the boardroom into an immediate, dead silence. Yet, the corners of Meiling’s lips curled upward into a calculating smirk.

"On the contrary, I hold the perspective that this specific innovation is profoundly worthy of integration into our master project," Meiling intervened. "As everyone in this room is well aware, the state administration is aggressively backing startup research initiatives. Therefore, a dividend-sharing alliance with Hydra-Flux stands as a highly rational strategic route. If this technology proves itself in the field, CK Group’s green hydrogen matrix will establish a historical monopoly, leaving our competitors permanently obsolete."

A condescending smirk played on Wenjie's face, while Luofan exhaled a subtle sigh of relief, assuming an upper-echelon executive was genuinely validating his proposal.

In absolute reality, Meiling possessed zero emotional investment in the startup’s potential; her structural motivation layout entirely in publicly humiliating Wenjie and undermining his authority.

"Kindly specify the exact dividend percentage your firm is seeking," Meiling prompted smoothly.

"Based on our projected operational framework... Hydra-Flux formally proposes a profit-sharing metric of 15% derived from the cumulative valuation of the energy cost-savings realized across the entire Sandbox initiative," Yu Luofan stated flatly.

Meiling absorbed the number, her smile remaining intact while her sharp, calculating eyes turned entirely vacant.

"15%... " Meiling echoed, tilting her head slightly with predatory grace. "In that case, allow me to submit our counter-conditions."

Luofan’s instincts immediately flared; he recognized the sudden shift. This was a hostile restructuring one that boded catastrophic implications for an independent startup.

"Condition number one... Since our conglomerate functions as the primary institutional anchor and absorbs the supreme financial liability, CK Group must be granted absolute, unrestricted rights to execute internal accounting audits and oversee production protocols of Hydra-Flux every financial quarter. To guarantee compliance, we will deploy a permanent, in-house team of forensic accountants and technical engineers to sit directly within your research laboratory."

Luofan froze instantly. Accepting such an invasive mandate meant their trade secrets, molecular formulations, and chemical matrices would be systematically extracted and plundered by CK Group’s tech division.

"Condition number two... This instrument must be structured as an Exclusive Partnership agreement. Hydra-Flux will be legally bound to our corporation under a restrictive covenant: you are permanently barred from accepting contracts, providing consulting services, or entering joint ventures with any legal entity recognized as a competitor in the global clean energy and logistics sectors... for a mandatory duration of 10 years."

"10 years...?" Luofan gasped, the exclamation slipping past his lips in unadulterated shock.

"A decade in exchange for the absolute institutional validation of the CK Group stamp and a guaranteed 15% dividend pipeline. I calculate that as an extraordinary return on investment for your brand equity and structural stability, Mr. Luofan. Or do you genuinely harbor the delusion that your microscopic startup lab can survive the brutal, predatory waves of the global market without a titan anchoring you?"

Yu Luofan fell entirely speechless, trapped within the corporate chokehold.

Chatchawin, who had maintained an observant, calculating silence throughout the proceedings, let a subtle, amused smile grace his lips. "It appears this specific matrix of conditions has introduced a severe operational impasse for both parties... If the board permits, may I submit a structural alternative?"

Every eye in the boardroom snapped instantly toward the Thai tycoon. Chatchawin locked eyes with Luofan, whose face had turned completely bloodless, offering a calm, reassuring gaze.

"The startup entity naturally harbors severe anxieties regarding the surrender of their proprietary innovation into the absolute control of a multi-national conglomerate. Concurrently, CK Group requires iron-clad guarantees that the startup will not weaponize or liquidate this asset to a global competitor in the future. Therefore... as the primary landowner and the official license holder of the Sandbox territory in Thailand, I propose that Away Logistics enter the instrument as a co-owner of the patent rights, serving as the premier operational user and regional launch partner."

An explosive chorus of hushed chatter erupted across the room. Meiling’s facial muscles tightened, nearly fracturing her cultivated executive composure.

"Furthermore, the instrument must explicitly dictate that... any future modifications, derivative developments, or commercial applications of this technology must secure prior written consent and majority approval from the executive board of the Thailand Sandbox," Chatchawin continued, flashing a bright, sharp smile toward Yu Luofan. "To state it plainly: Away Logistics will function as the neutral institutional custodian to safeguard and protect this patent within the region. This legal buffer ensures that the startup cannot independently liquidate the innovation to external actors, and concurrently, CK Group cannot exploit or extract the technology without securing the explicit administrative authorization of Away Logistics."

Kawin and Zhangwei exchanged a microscopic, split-second glance. The structural firewall strategy they had mapped out had been executed flawlessly by Chatchawin.

On the other side of the floor, Yu Luofan looked at Chatchawin, a profound wave of relief washing over his expression. "I am in absolute alignment with Mr. Chatchawin’s proposal... An innovation birthed and tested within the Sandbox ecosystem should logically be overseen by the regional custodian. I demand the exact framework of institutional transparency that Away Logistics is offering."

Meiling shot a cold, venomous glare toward Chatchawin. Across the table, Wenjie let out a mocking chuckle, raising an eyebrow with unadulterated satisfaction as Meiling's calculated power play to steal the spotlight collapsed into absolute ruin.

Meiling stormed out of the boardroom, her boots striking the floor with aggressive cadence, her fury barely contained. Rongru, her executive secretary, hurried at her heels, struggling to match her frantic pace. However, before they could reach the elevators, Wenjie caught up from behind, his voice dripping with condescension.

"Moving forward... I suggest you invest a fraction more effort into your strategies, Miss Meiling."

Meiling halted dead in her tracks. She spun around, her eyes burning. "Hah... I executed every single move to secure the absolute maximum strategic advantage for the CK Group to the best of my capabilities. I calculate that as vastly superior to sitting in catatonic silence without contributing a singular proposal to grant our corporation leverage... wouldn't you agree?"

Wenjie let out a dark, mocking hiss from his throat. "Is that so? How fascinating... because your 'best capability' just subjected me to such profound secondhand embarrassment that I nearly desired the floorboards to open up and swallow me whole."

Meiling locked her eyes onto his mocking visage, her gaze hardening into absolute, unyielding ice.